Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance Procedures

This document outlines the procedures for inspecting and maintaining portable fire extinguishers in a commercial building to ensure they are operational and compliant with safety regulations. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial for the reliability of fire extinguishers in the event of a fire emergency. These procedures are based on industry best practices and regulatory requirements to protect lives and property.

General Requirements

Applicability

These procedures apply to the inspection, testing, and maintenance of all portable fire extinguishers within the commercial building, excluding the initial filling by the manufacturer. They also apply to the installation, testing, and maintenance of all types of fixed fire extinguishing systems. The purpose of these procedures is to regulate the inspection, testing, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and the installation, testing, and maintenance of fixed fire extinguishing systems in the interest of protecting lives and property [4]

Licensing and Permits

Any dealer or person who engages in the business of installing, inspecting, repairing, recharging, testing, or performing maintenance on fire equipment must be licensed by the OSFM (Office of State Fire Marshal). No person shall install, inspect, repair, recharge, perform maintenance, or test any type of fire equipment not covered on their permit or for which they do not have manufacturer training or certification to do so. Dealers performing hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers manufactured according to USDOT specifications must possess a valid license issued by the USDOT and adhere to USDOT and NFPA standards. All portable fire extinguishers and fixed fire extinguishing systems covered by regulations must be installed, inspected, tested, and serviced per the applicable NFPA standards and the manufacturer's installation, service, and maintenance manuals. [1] [1] [1] [1]

Fire Safety Plan

Employers, contractors, or owners must take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the outbreak of fire at a place of employment and to provide effective means to protect workers from any fire that may occur. They must also develop and implement a written fire safety plan that provides for the safety of all workers in the event of a fire. The fire safety plan must include emergency procedures, quantities/locations/storage methods of flammable substances, designation of persons to carry out the fire safety plan and their duties, training of designated persons and workers in their responsibilities, fire drills, and control of fire hazards. Designated persons and workers who have been assigned fire safety duties must be adequately trained in, and implement, the fire safety plan. The fire safety plan must be posted in a conspicuous place for reference by workers, and a fire drill must be held at least once during each 12-month period. [5] [5] [5]

Inspection Procedures

Monthly Visual Inspections

Portable fire extinguishers should be visually inspected at least monthly. These inspections ensure that extinguishers are accessible, in good working condition, and ready for use. Customize the inspection list for the specific workplace. The following items should be included in the monthly inspection: [2]

Extinguishers are well supported and hangers are fastened solidly.
Extinguishers are accessible:
Can be easily reached
There are no obstructions
Location signs are clear
Class markings are clear
Operating instructions are clear
Extinguishers are in good working condition:
Discharge opening is clear
It is fully charged
It has not been damaged or tampered with
Hydrostatic testing has been done
The ring pin is in place.
The seal is intact.

[2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]

Annual Maintenance Checks

Portable fire extinguishers must undergo an annual maintenance check. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination during this check. The annual maintenance date must be recorded and retained for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. This record must be available upon request. [6]

Maintenance Procedures

General Maintenance

Service portable fire extinguishers at least once a year, or when the monthly inspection indicates servicing is necessary. Maintenance should only be performed by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities. Keep written records showing maintenance items such as serial number and type of extinguishers, location, inspection date, description of tests, date of next inspection, date of annual servicing, comments, and inspector's signature. [2] [2] [2]

Removal from Service

Extinguishers should be removed from service under the following conditions: [2]

When the cylinder or shell threads are damaged.
Where there is corrosion that has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable name plate assemblies.

[2] [2]

Hydrostatic Testing

Portable extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested at the intervals. In addition to an external visual examination, an internal examination of cylinders and shells to be tested must be made prior to hydrostatic tests. Portable fire extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested whenever they show new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury. Hydrostatic tests must be performed on extinguisher hose assemblies equipped with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge end of the hose, with the test interval being the same as specified for the extinguisher on which the hose is installed. Carbon dioxide hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle must be hydrostatically tested at 1,250 psi (8,620 kPa), and dry chemical and dry powder hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle must be hydrostatically tested at 300 psi (2,070 kPa). Carbon dioxide extinguishers and nitrogen or carbon dioxide cylinders used with wheeled extinguishers are tested every 5 years at 5/3 of the service pressure as stamped into the cylinder. Nitrogen cylinders which comply with 49 CFR 173.34(e)(15) [Transportation] may be hydrostatically tested every 10 years. [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6]

Recordkeeping

The employer must maintain and provide evidence that the required hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers has been performed at the time intervals. This evidence should be in the form of a certification record that includes the date of the test, the signature of the person who performed the test, and the serial number (or other identifier) of the fire extinguisher tested. These records must be kept until the extinguisher is hydrostatically retested or taken out of service, whichever comes first. [6]

Additional Safety Measures

Fire Prevention Plan

A fire prevention plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees. A fire prevention plan must include a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard; procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials; and procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials. [7] [7]

Employee Training

Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. The employer shall provide this education upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. The employer shall provide employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment upon initial assignment and at least annually thereafter. [8] [8] [8] [8]

Using a Fire Extinguisher

Use the correct fire extinguisher type to fight the fire. If you feel that you cannot safely extinguish the fire using the portable extinguisher available, pull the fire alarm, evacuate the area, and then call the fire department. When using an extinguisher, use the PASS system - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. [3] [3] [3]

Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
Aim the extinguisher.
Squeeze the trigger or top handle.
Sweep the fire area with the extinguisher's spray until the fire is completely out.

[3] [3] [3] [3] For floor fires, sweep from the edges in. For wall fires, sweep from the bottom up. Never walk away from a fire, even if you think it is out, as the residue may reignite. Always stand between the escape route and the fire so you can leave safely if the fire grows. If the fire grows too large, leave the area and activate the fire alarm to evacuate the area. [3] [3] [3] [3]

Compliance and Safety

By adhering to these inspection and maintenance procedures, the commercial building can ensure its fire extinguishers are always ready for use, thereby enhancing the safety of occupants and complying with relevant safety regulations. Regular training and drills will further reinforce these safety measures, creating a safer environment for everyone.